- maintains that while criminal elements have used Buxton as a cover, he holds the view that the vast majority of the people living in Buxton are decent law abiding citizens

PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday met with Christian leaders from the Buxton community to discuss the concerns of members, specifically those of the farming community, as it relates to the present joint services exercise to clear the backlands in Buxton and its surrounding communities.

Among some of the concerns raised was the issue of compensation for damages and loss of income suffered by farmers in the Buxton community as a result of this exercise, a statement from Reverend Kwame Gilbert said.

Gilbert, who is the Community Development and Social Policy Officer at the Office of the President, said the Guyanese head of state gave each member of the delegation an opportunity to express concerns as well as to share their suggestions on how government can work in partnership with the community.

After much deliberation, he said the following positions were taken:

The President in response to a comment made about him drawing a parallel between farmers and criminals, insisted that he was grossly misrepresented and further reiterated that while he maintains that criminal elements have used Buxton as a cover, he holds the view that the vast majority of the people living in Buxton are decent law abiding citizens.

The President further mandated the Christian leaders to establish a parallel process of recording and submitting claims which will be cross referenced with the official process at the Vigilance Police station.

When asked about a time frame, the President indicated that an estimated time of one week is given for the payment of these claims, and should the residents cooperate with the process, they should be able resume normal farming activities after a month (the time it is estimated by the Army to clear the backlands).

President Jagdeo insisted that the instructions given to the security forces conducting the exercise are to ensure that permanent crops are not destroyed in the process of clearing.

He further took the opportunity to express his desire as the spokesperson for agriculture in the Caribbean, to see young people develop an interest in active engagement in the agricultural sector.

Gilbert said the group left with the commitment that there will be future engagements of the Buxton community by the President.